A bill that would allow some Damascus residents to leave the city unanimously passed the Oregon House on Friday.

Rep. Bill Kennemer, R-Oregon City, gave a short history lesson on Damascus’ failure to pass a comprehensive plan that would allow property owners to develop their properties for nearly 10 years when he asked for support for the bill he sponsored with Clackamas Rep. Shemia Fagan, a Democrat.

“You can’t pull a building permit, you can’t do much with your property and, frankly, you got to be some kind of genius to figure out what it’s worth,” Kennemer said.

The bill allows property owners on the edge of the city to withdraw from Damascus if the property is within a half-mile of another existing city. This would likely lead to many residents who qualify to annex into nearby Happy Valley.

The bill is now on its way to the Oregon Senate. If it becomes law, it would cease to be effective if Damascus passes a comprehensive plan. Otherwise, it would sunset in 2025.

Fagan said the bill “does not give immediate relief to all the concerns of the frustrated citizens of Damascus,” but would be forward movement.